At the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), TAC Officer Britt Kelly exemplifies the values of resilience, leadership, and purpose. Her story reflects the core of what it means to serve with integrity and to train the next generation of peace officers with compassion, skill, and accountability.
Watch the full interview with TAC Officer Britt Kelly
Finding Purpose in the Profession
For Kelly, law enforcement was more than a career—it was a calling. One unexpected moment while listening to a radio ad for the Washington State Patrol changed her trajectory.
“I don’t know why it struck me, but it did,” she said. “I just sat there and said, ‘I can do that.’”
Her entry into law enforcement was swift, but not without challenge. Like many officers, her journey was shaped by intensity and growth, fueled by her drive to serve.
“It pushed me, and I loved it. It definitely was an intensity that I never felt before… I embraced it, and I loved elevating myself to the next level.”
Standing with Today’s Recruits
Now a TAC Officer at WSCJTC’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA), Kelly mentors and trains new recruits, many of whom are entering the field during one of the most complex times in modern policing.
“It’s no secret what law enforcement went through the past five years,” she said. “I really thought people wouldn’t want to do this job anymore.”
But what she has witnessed is just the opposite. Today’s recruits are motivated by a desire to serve with intention, equity, and accountability.
“Being down here and seeing all the recruits—I give them credit for coming into this profession when it may not be as revered as it once was. But they really want to make a change.”
A Survivor’s Perspective on Officer Safety
Kelly’s experience as an officer also carries profound weight. Just 30 days into her field training with the Seattle Police Department, she was randomly ambushed in her police vehicle that claimed the life of her partner, Officer Timothy Brenton. She survived with injuries that shaped her approach to safety and training.
“It helps [recruits] understand my intensity and why I’m so adamant about certain things around officer safety,” she said. “I’m such a proponent for them—that no matter what they face, you never quit. You keep fighting.”
Her story brings a human dimension to BLEA training, reinforcing the importance of preparation, awareness, and mental resilience.
Mental Wellness and Leading by Example
TAC Officer Kelly speaks openly about the mental and emotional impact of her experience. Her willingness to be vulnerable helps normalize conversations around officer wellness.
“It’s been a true journey-a trek, if you will—that I have grown into,” she said. “Hindsight is 20/20, especially with mental health. But I can look back and see what exactly I did.”
“I wish sometimes I could walk around with a sign that says, ‘It’s okay. Let’s talk.’ Because I am very open and honest about it.”
Her perspective reinforces WSCJTC’s emphasis on whole-of-service wellness and post-trauma growth, ensuring that officers are not only physically prepared, but mentally and emotionally equipped to serve their communities.
Honoring the Fallen, Empowering the Future
In 2023, Kelly launched the Fallen Officer Memorial Project to honor fallen SPD officers with memorials at meaningful locations across Seattle.
“I’ve never taken one bit more than what I have given or left behind,” she said. “It’s part of my memorial project. That’s what I do for my department.”
Through this work, she continues to lead by example—instilling values of service, sacrifice, and community connection.
“New times and new ways, and I think we are exactly where we need to be,” she said. “I’m extremely optimistic.”
